South African avocados head to Europe amid promising export season
First small volumes to arrive in European and UK markets by the end of the week
SOUTH AFRICA – The 2025 South African avocado export season is off to a strong start, with the first shipments expected to reach Europe and the UK within days.
This follows what growers are calling an excellent season across the country’s main avocado-growing areas.
Thanks to steady rainfall and full reservoirs, industry leaders expect to export around 23 million cartons this year. This would top last year’s figure of 21 million cartons, which was already considered a successful “on-year” for production.
“The fact that we are likely to exceed last year’s volumes is indicative of the investments in plantings in recent years,” said Derek Donkin, CEO of Subtrop, the body that represents the avocado sector in South Africa.
Exporters are focusing on maintaining strong supply to Europe and the UK, which continue to be the most important markets.
“Europe and the UK remains our most important marketing regions,” Donkin explained. “We annually see growth in the consumer market and we believe it will continue this year.”
More small shipments are set to follow next week, and volumes are expected to rise quickly as the season progresses. South African avocados are known for their quality, and the country’s growers are eager to meet rising demand.
The season is also expanding beyond its traditional markets. The first shipments to China are expected to leave South Africa before the end of March.
“Exporters say they will gradually build their presence in China and possibly Japan over the next few months,” Donkin said. “Most will only step up volumes towards the middle of the year – during the peak of the South African Hass season.”
India remains a slower-growing market due to existing trade conditions. “In India we will possibly await the end of the Tanzanian season, but there we also face high import tariffs which is inhibiting increased volumes in the short term,” said Donkin.
Growth in local production and consumption
Increased avocado production in South Africa has been anticipated for several years. New plantings in both traditional and newer regions have expanded the country’s output.
Growers now harvest from late January through November, allowing for longer availability on the market.
Over the past ten years, growers have also gained access to new varieties, helping to meet growing local and export demand. The domestic market has seen rising interest in avocados, particularly in smaller pack sizes such as 1kg bags, which continue to sell well.
Meanwhile, the citrus season is also in full swing. South African citrus exports began in April and are running steadily.
Large volumes are expected to leave the country over the next few weeks, with the peak of the lemon harvest already underway.
The combination of strong avocado exports and ongoing citrus shipments places South Africa in a strong position within the global fresh produce trade this year.
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